PVC compound for soles in footwear

Making PVC compound is technology how one can give you that technology as a reply to this question. If you know the chemicals also what are the proportions you have to use and how to mix them and what are the other conditions are to be known. The projects may be available in MSME or you can see on their website for the experts in this line and you have to contact them to know the technology. Otherwise, you get into a PVS manufacturing company as an employee and work in their manufacturing department for some time so that you will get the required details.

Full form of PVC is polyvinyl chloride. It is a soft form of plastic. Due to its stability and comfort, these are used in shoe soles especially walking shoes. PVC soles have good insulation and resistance properties. They are cost effective and also an alternate to leather.

Manufacture process:
According to the design, moulds are obtained and fitted in machine.
Then PVC compound is fed in a heated cylinder from sopper in granular form.
PVC compounds are available in natural granules. That are mixed with desired coloured granules.
When PVC in the cylinder get sufficiently softened by heat, it is forced forward by screw action through an intermediate channel (SPRUE) into the mould until it has cooled down to a state of sufficient rigidity and the pressure in the mould relaxed.
Time cycle is to maintained at different stages.

The main operations are:
1. Feeding of PVC granules into a heated cylinder from sopper
2. Trimming of surplus material
3. Cleaning
4. fixing of fittings
5. Checking and packing.

Temperature required: 160 degree C.
Pressure : 80 lbs/ square

PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) falls in the category of plastic material. These are basically synthetic polymerisation products of long chain carbon based organic molecules. These are very useful materials in many industries and can be reused by melting again and again as they become solid on cooling. However the quality of PVC will degrade with each melting cycle. PVC has innumerable uses in toys, shoe soles, car parts, healthcare accessories, construction industry, cable coating, shutters and frames etc etc.

Depending upon for what use the PVC granules are required certain additives are mixed in it while the manufacturing process. Some of the common additives are in the nature of plasticiser and antioxidants. There are many other additives for specific uses. Now a days god quality machines are available for making PVC granules from the basic raw materials like ethylene and chlorine. In fact to make the process economical chlorine is extracted from the salt water by electrolysis.

Different companies have different formula and ingredients for making a particular type of PVC. In this matter I will suggest to visit the suppliers sites (like Alibaba or others) who are supplying these machines for making PVC. They will provide the basic knowhow with these machines. Basically by combining ethylene with chlorine we get ethylene dichloride which is the converted at high temperature to vinyl chloride monomer. These monomer molecules are polymerised by fusing together and that gives rise to polyvinyl chloride resin which is finally converted to granules with a specific mechanical machine.

If you are interested in the manufacturing of PVC granules then it will be advisable to learn and experience hands on knowledge by working in a small plant for some time or seeing the process there. There are many small businesses which can allow you to see the process yourself. These things do not materialise on theoretical levels. One has to see the process oneself to get a feel of things and then use that experience in ones project.

There are few shoe and sole companies across few states in India. I suggest you to search for it online and try to join there as trainee in relevant department, or request them to allow to learn about PVC department as it matches your qualification. This will practically help you to learn and grow.

You can then come out from there after few months to start your own business on PVC. The practical training would give you more idea, in-depth and knowledge than theory what you have learned on this so far.

Thus, it is a wise to be on practical on PVC / Sole / Chemical for few months on this line before going through Chemical composition and project etc.

Lightweight PVC soles are usually not only about the base resin formulation — processing conditions and additive selection can have a major impact too. Factors such as plasticizers, stabilizers, fillers, processing aids, and foaming systems influence density, flexibility, abrasion resistance, and final feel.

If the goal is reducing weight, there is often a balance between lower density and maintaining properties like durability and tear resistance. Excessive filler reduction or aggressive foaming may make the sole lighter but can affect long-term wear performance.

Another thing worth considering is the intended application — casual footwear, sports shoes, and industrial footwear can require very different mechanical properties. Material optimization usually comes from testing multiple compound variations rather than relying on a single fixed formulation.